Local colleges tighten security for graduations in wake of Marathon attack

Local colleges and universities are beefing up security at commencements this year in response to the deadly Boston Marathon bombings. At Bridgewater State University, Massasoit Community College, Stonehill College and UMass-Dartmouth – where the younger bombing suspect was a student – campuses are taking precautions that range from adding more police to banning packages, balloons and wrapped gifts.

By Amy Carboneau

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Amy Carboneau

Posted May. 10, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 10, 2013 at 10:10 AM

By Amy Carboneau

Posted May. 10, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated May 10, 2013 at 10:10 AM

BRIDGEWATER

» Social News

Local colleges and universities are beefing up security at commencements this year in response to the deadly Boston Marathon bombings last month.

At Bridgewater State University, Massasoit Community College, Stonehill College and UMass-Dartmouth – where the younger bombing suspect was a student – campuses are taking precautions that range from adding more police to banning packages, balloons and wrapped gifts.

“Let’s face it,” said Eva Gaffney, a BSU spokeswoman. “Everybody’s still very much in a heightened state of alert.”

On April 20, as a massive manhunt was under way in Boston for bombing suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Bridgewater State University had a scare of its own when a bomb squad was brought in and dorms were evacuated after an unaccompanied backpack was found on campus. The bag turned out to be filled with beer belonging to a freshman who tried to smuggle it onto campus.

Now, at this year’s graduate and undergraduate ceremonies, no backpacks, oversized handbags or packages larger than a cubic foot will be allowed inside the Rondileau Campus Center or under the white tent on the Boyden Quad at Bridgewater State.

Noisemakers also “will be discouraged, and probably confiscated,” said Gaffney.

“The safety of the college community is our top priority,” Stonehill spokesman Martin McGovern said in an email Thursday.

“Uniformed officers as well as plainclothes officers will be deployed across the campus to ensure the safety of those attending our commencement ceremony.”

“The principle remains the same as in years past,” said McGovern, adding “the practice” this year “will be more vigilant.”

At Massasoit, spokeswoman Laurie Maker said officials are increasing manpower and bringing in additional law enforcement personnel from area communities.

“College administration is obviously taking security very seriously at this point,” Maker said.

No backpacks or duffle bags will be allowed at the ceremony.

“Other bags may also be subject to search,” Maker said, adding that with the ceremony not until May 31, procedures remain under review.

And at UMass-Dartmouth, which will hold its undergraduate and graduate ceremonies this weekend, graduates and guests are prohibited from bringing in any wrapped gifts, briefcases, backpacks, camera bags, balloons or beach balls.

The university, which expects a larger-than-normal media presence due to its connection to one of the marathon bombing suspects, will also have bomb-sniffing dogs to inspect media equipment.

Page 2 of 2 - The Fall River Herald News contributed to this report. Amy Carboneau may be reached at acarboneau@enterprisenews.com or follow on Twitter @Carboneau_ENT.